Senator Scott Kicks Off National School Choice Week at Orange Grove Charter School

CHARLESTON, S.C. — Today, U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), Co-chair of the Congressional School Choice Caucus, and South Carolina Education Superintendent Ellen Weaver visited Orange Grove Charter School’s elementary campus to kick off National School Choice Week, which runs from January 21st-27th.

“The importance of school choice cannot be better realized than by being here today,” said Senator Scott. “When a parent has a choice, their kids have a chance – not just to get a better education – but a better life.” 

Senator Scott and Superintendent Weaver toured the school, met with students, parents and teachers and discussed the importance of school choice and ensuring every child has access to a quality education.

BACKGROUND 

Senator Scott has fought to provide all Americans access to a quality education, by:

• Calling out a teachers union-allied group for weaponizing race to promote its anti-school choice agenda;
• Introducing the Families’ Rights and Responsibilities Act, which affirms parents have a fundamental right to control the upbringing of their child;
• Slamming Chicago Mayor Brandon Johnson and Board of Education President Jianan Shi for the city’s recently passed resolution that could eliminate school choice for Chicago families, strip minority and low-income students of their preferred high schools and widen the achievement gap;
• Leading the fight to protect high-quality, tuition-free charter schools that serve disadvantaged students when the Biden administration took steps to undermine charter schools;
• Championing the Educational Choice for Children Act to expand educational freedom and opportunity for millions of students by creating $10 billion annually in scholarships for K-12 students;
• Introducing the CHOICE Act to give more than 6.2 million students nationwide, primarily students from military and low-income families and students with disabilities, access to quality education of their choosing;
• Hosting the largest ever National School Choice Week Student Rally at the U.S. Capitol, which was attended by more than 300 students from 10 D.C.-area public charter and private schools;
• Leading two bipartisan Senate resolutions – National Charter School Week and National School Choice Week – both of which unanimously passed, raising attention to critical education issues and priorities; and
• Securing House passage of his Parental Rights Over the Education and Care of Their (PROTECT) Kids Act to protect parental rights and ensure parents remain the lead decision makers in their child’s life.